Following the groundbreaking Lucid Air sedan and the highly anticipated Gravity SUV, Lucid Motors is venturing into the popular midsize SUV segment. This move positions the California-based electric vehicle (EV) startup to directly challenge the dominance of models like the Tesla Model Y. Dubbed by many as the Lucid Earth, this upcoming vehicle is generating significant buzz. Here’s a comprehensive look at everything we currently know about the Lucid Earth, the all-electric SUV poised to redefine its class.
Design: A Blend of Elegance and Aerodynamic Efficiency
The Lucid Earth midsize SUV showcasing its streamlined silhouette and brand inscription, hinting at its global appeal. Image Source: Lucid Motors
The design language of the Lucid Earth leans towards a softer, more globally appealing aesthetic, a strategic choice by Lucid to broaden its market reach. This crossover-like design distinguishes it from more rugged competitors and should resonate particularly well in regions favoring smoother vehicle styling. The front fascia is characterized by a gracefully sloping hood, accentuated by a prominent central ridge and the instantly recognizable block-lettered “LUCID” inscription.
Expect the Lucid Earth to feature incredibly sleek, horizontally oriented headlights positioned just beneath the hood shut line. Lucid’s design philosophy emphasizes elegance and sophistication, making split headlight designs unlikely. An X-shaped front apron with a subtly concave center section is also a plausible design element, aligning with Lucid’s evolving brand identity.
Lucid Earth SUV rendering, illustrating the potential aerodynamic contours and design features of Lucid’s upcoming midsize electric vehicle.
Aerodynamic Lucid Earth midsize SUV rendering, emphasizing the vehicle’s potential for low energy consumption and extended driving range in the electric SUV segment.
The teaser images strongly suggest that the Lucid Earth will boast a distinctly curvy exterior profile. This design choice is not merely aesthetic; it’s crucial for achieving superior aerodynamics, potentially surpassing rivals like the Rivian R2 in efficiency. Enhanced aerodynamics directly translate to reduced energy consumption and, consequently, a longer driving range – a key selling point for EVs. These renderings offer a clearer visualization of the subtle design nuances hinted at in the official, shadowed teaser image.
Moving to the side profile, the Lucid Earth showcases a floating roofline, injecting a sense of dynamic motion into the vehicle’s stance. The door mirrors and greenhouse adopt curvilinear shapes, seamlessly integrating with the overall sleek design theme. In contrast to the larger Gravity SUV, the Lucid Earth features a beltline that ascends more sharply towards the rear, adding to its sporty character. Flush-mounted door handles are anticipated, further contributing to the vehicle’s streamlined silhouette and aerodynamic efficiency. While the rear design remains under wraps, the Gravity SUV likely serves as an indicative template, suggesting a clean and understated rear-end design for the Lucid Earth.
Interior: High-Tech Luxury and Spacious Comfort
Interior perspective of the Lucid Earth electric SUV, highlighting its anticipated high-tech dashboard and spacious cabin design. Image Source: Lucid Motors
The interior of the Lucid Earth is expected to be a sanctuary of high technology and spaciousness, aiming for a futuristic yet inviting ambiance reminiscent of a comfortable living room. A slim, minimalist dashboard, featuring floating displays in the cockpit area, is envisioned to seamlessly merge with the door panels. This design, coupled with the likely option of a panoramic glass canopy, will amplify the feeling of spaciousness within the cabin of the Lucid Earth.
Lucid Motors is keen to differentiate the Lucid Earth within the competitive midsize SUV segment by emphasizing luxurious appointments. Expect rich color palettes, generous use of premium soft-touch materials, meticulously crafted trim surfaces, and overall class-leading build quality, mirroring the elevated experience noted in reviews of the Lucid Air sedan. Furthermore, discerning customers will appreciate the seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These features ensure convenient access to preferred smartphone applications and functionalities through the Lucid Earth’s advanced infotainment system, enhancing the driving experience.
Specifications: Power, Efficiency, and Innovation
New Midsize Platform Foundation
During Lucid’s Q3 2023 earnings call, former CEO Rawlinson hinted at a revolutionary, all-new midsize vehicle platform as the foundation for Lucid’s more accessible model, the Lucid Earth. While specific details were not disclosed at the time, he emphasized that this midsize offering would attract a completely new demographic of customers to the Lucid brand. Later, in the Q2 2024 earnings conference call, Rawlinson confirmed that this forthcoming platform would incorporate a simplified electrical architecture compared to the sophisticated systems in the Air and Gravity models, streamlining production and potentially reducing costs for the Lucid Earth.
Lucid Earth Eureka Gold rendering, showcasing a potential premium color option and design elements of the upcoming electric midsize SUV.
We have 16 in-house ECUs, all of which are over-the-air updatable and a midsize platform will introduce our next zonal architecture. We will further reduce the number of ECUs down to single-digits.
Peter Rawlinson, former CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024)
‘Atlas’ Motor Innovation
The Lucid Earth is projected to be available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter employing a dual-motor setup. Lucid has officially confirmed the development of a brand-new ‘Atlas’ motor specifically engineered for this model.
The Atlas drive unit is designed to produce 335 horsepower. This power output is deemed more than adequate for the base and mid-range variants of the Lucid Earth, catering to consumers who prioritize affordability and exceptional energy efficiency over outright performance. Lucid Motors has publicly stated its ambitious goal of achieving an industry-leading energy efficiency of 6 miles per kWh with one of their EVs, and the midsize platform underpinning the Lucid Earth is anticipated to be the vehicle to realize this benchmark. For owners, this translates to fewer charging stops required on long journeys and significantly lower running costs over the vehicle’s lifespan.
Tesla Model Y rear view, representing a key competitor in the electric midsize SUV segment that the Lucid Earth aims to surpass in range and efficiency. Image: Tesla
Range and Charging Prowess
The Lucid Earth is expected to deliver an EPA-estimated driving range exceeding that of the Tesla Model Y, potentially reaching between 350 and 400 miles on a single charge. To further enhance its appeal in North America, Lucid Motors is highly likely to equip the Lucid Earth with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port right from its market launch. This strategic decision will grant Lucid Earth owners seamless access to the extensive Tesla Supercharger network across the region, significantly improving charging convenience and accessibility.
(When) we get to midsize, we’ll be able to have a competitive range with a relatively tiny battery pack and much less cost than anyone else.
Peter Rawlinson, former CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024)
Price and Release Date: Targeting the Heart of the Market
The starting price for the base configuration of the Lucid Earth midsize SUV is projected to be under USD 50,000. During Lucid Motors’ Tech and Manufacturing Day in September 2024, Rawlinson suggested a 2025 unveiling for the vehicle. This timeline was further refined by newly appointed CEO Marc Winterhoff, who indicated a late 2025 or early 2026 reveal during a later earnings call.
I don’t want to reveal too much, but we are currently planning to unveil them late this year or early next year.
Marc Winterhoff, Chief Operating Officer of Lucid Motors, about the company’s midsize models (Q4 2024 earnings call on Feb 25, 2025)
Manufacturing Plans: Global Production Footprint
Lucid Motors intends to commence production of the Lucid Earth in late 2026, with initial customer deliveries expected to begin within the same year. Manufacturing of the Lucid Earth will take place at Lucid’s existing facilities: the primary domestic plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, and the overseas factory located in King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh (Makkah), Saudi Arabia. This dual-location production strategy underscores Lucid’s ambition for global market penetration with the Lucid Earth.
Midsize platform start of production scheduled for late 2026
From Lucid Motors’s Q4 2024 Earnings Release presentation on Feb 25, 2025
TopElectricSUV’s Perspective
The Lucid Earth midsize SUV holds the potential to become Lucid’s top-selling model. It appears to blend a fluid and subtly masculine exterior design with an interior that is anticipated to surpass its competitors in terms of luxury and refinement. Thanks to Lucid’s innovative Atlas powertrain and focus on efficiency, the smaller Lucid Earth SUV could emerge as the most compelling and technologically advanced offering in its category, posing a serious challenge to established players and newcomers alike.
Lucid Earth Midsize SUV FAQs
When will the Lucid Earth midsize SUV be released?
Lucid has confirmed that the launch of the Lucid Earth midsize SUV is scheduled for late 2026.
What will be the price of the Lucid Earth midsize SUV?
Lucid has stated that the base configuration of the Lucid Earth will be priced under $50,000.
Which vehicles will be the Lucid Earth’s main competitors?
The primary competitors for the Lucid Earth include the Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX60, Rivian R2, BMW iX3, and Mercedes GLC EV.
Featured Image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the Lucid Earth midsize SUV.
Sagar Parikh Web Editor
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
